Therapeutic apparatus



THERAPEUTIC APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. ll, 1958 Y INVENTOR.fjVawcz/a/ B'YJO@ I y?" Jan. 19, 1960 J, NAWARA 2,921,790

THERAPEUTIC APPARATUS Filed Feb. 11, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 www3/95:221,77- %gg 0/ 13 I76 ,77

3 7 5 INVENTOR, Jojefawafaz, BY

United States Patent THERA'PEUTIC APPARATUS Jozef Nawara,'Chicago, Ill.Application February 11, 1958, Serial No. 714,565

3 Claims. (Cl. 272-58) The-present invention relates to therapeuticbeds, and has for its main `object the provision of a teeter platformfor supporting thereon-a patient in a recumbent position, withA asuperstructure disposedabove the-platform,` the superstructuresupportingv suitable mechanism, manually actuable by the patient, forthe purpose of imparting to the platforma seesaw motion Aupon its Vpivotfor thereby giving to the patient a -therapeutic exercise.

Another object of the Vpresent invention is the provision,A inconnection with the superstructure, aforesaid, of adjustable means forsupporting thereon various exercising devices for use of the patientwhile in a supine position upon the platform aforesaid.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision, inconnection with each end of the platform aforesaid, of adjustable meansfor limiting 'the angular shifting movement of the platform in thedirection of the oor upon which the device is supported.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision ofsuitable tensioning Vmeans for the platform aforesaid, normally tendingto bring the platform to the horizontal position, during the operationof the means through which a seesaw motion tothe platform is imparted,said tensioning means adjacent each end of: the platform being capableof adjustment in order to relate the operation of said tensioning'meansY to the weight of a patient at each end of the platform.

A still further object of the present invention is to generally improvea therapeutic bed of the, character above indicated.

With the above general objects in view and others that will appear asthe invention is better understood, the samev Consists in the novelconstruction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter morefully described,

illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appendedclaims.

In the drawingsv forming a part of this application, and in1 which likedesignating characters refer to corresponding parts throughout theseveral views:

Fig. l is a top elevational View of the present device;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View thereof;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view thereof;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross section on linev 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a top elevational view of the platform;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view through the shaft and itsappurtenances, upon which the platform is pivotally supported;

Fig. 7 is a perspective end View of the said shaft;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal cross sectional view, partly in elevation,through a pulley fixture for supporting thereon a cord or the like whichin turn is capable of supporting exercisers of various types;

Fig. 9 is a top elevational view of the said fixture;

Fig. 10 is a longitudinal cross sectional view, partly in elevation,through the lower end of one of the legs supporting 'the superstructureand through a caster, illusr"ice tratingthe mechanism whereby 'the.caster is journalled within the leg, and further illustrating thebraking mechanism for the caster;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary cross sectional view through an edge of theplatform, illustrating the mechanism for supporting a tubular bar in yanencompassing edge relation with the platform, for supporting upon saidbar adjustable foot and head rests at the ends of the platform; and

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary cross sectional view 'through an edge of theplatform, taken on line 12-7-12 of Fig. 5, illustrating vthe manner ofafxing a cord'to each end of the platform, whereby auseesawmovement maybe imparted to the platform.

v'Referring in detail-to the present drawings, there Yis shown thereinplatform 13, of a rectangular form,- for supporting rthereon inalongitudinal relation apatient while in arecumbent position. Supportedinan edge- .wise spaced relation with saidplatform 13 is a rectangulartubular frame, including the longer side barsv 14, andthe shorter endbars 14'.

,Said frame is supported in its operative position/with platform 13 bymeans of a pluralityof plates 15 aixed to the underface ofplatform 13 bymeans of a plurality of screwsV 16. The outer ends of'said plates 15extend beyond the edge of platform 13, and are directed upwardly, andthere terminate in spoon-likemembers 17, defining ,cradles withinwhichVthey said frame rests and is there supported. Said members 17 may bewelded or otherwise rigidly aixed to the said frame for maintaining thelatter in a rigid spaced relation with the edge of platform 13, as isbest seen in Fig. ll.

Supported in an adjustable relation at each end of Vplatform 13 isa footand head rest for supporting feet andhead of the patient and forpreventing sliding of the patientylongitudinally of platform v13 whenthe latter makes seesaw motions upon its pivot, as will be laterdescribed.l Each of said rests includes cushion 18 in a transverserelation with the platform, and disposed' to- 4ward the center thereof.Said cushion 18 is affixed to a stiff backing 19- (Fig. 3). Aiiixed tobacking 19, in a longitudinal relation therewith, is a hinge loop 20,for reception therewithin ofthe central portion of the U- shapedbar21.Each stop, including said cushion 18 and backing 19, maybe angularlyshifted upon said central portion of said U-shaped bar 21 for thepurpose of selectively bringing cushion 18 to its vertical position withrelation to platform 13,l or to a horizontal position. When in avertical position cushion 18 and itsbackingfunction asa stop for thepurpose already mentioned, and when in a horizontal position cushion 18may be employed as a pillow fora patients head. Screw 22 passed throughsaid hinge loop 20 bears against the said central portion of saidU-shaped bar 21 forl maintaining cushion 18 in its rigid adjustedrelation with said bar.

The ends ,of said U-shaped bar 21 are bent to define lateral extensions23, and the latterarey vertically bent to define vertical extensions 24.

Means for supporting the said stops in an adjustable relation withplatform 13 includes a pair of tubular members 25, a pair of which foreach of said stops 18--19 is mounted upon side bars 14 for longitudinalsliding movement thereon. Each yof said tubular members, adjacent theend thereof which is proximate to the end of platform 13, is'providedwith an adjusting screw 26,'passed through the body of each of saidtubular members 25, and which is adapted to bear against said side bars14 for maintaining saidv tubular members in their adjusted relationtherewith. Formed at the opposite end of each of said tubular members 25isfa vertical tubular member 27, within which said-vertical extensions24 are receivable and wherein the latter may be adjusted vertically for3 p bringing said stops 18-1-19 towards or away from said platform 13.Screw 28 passed through said vertical tubular members 27 are adapted toengage and bear against saidverticalextensions 24 .fonmaintainingthe.latter in Vtheirvertic'al adjusted relation with said vertical Vtubularmembers 27." Thus, Vsaid stops 18-19 are"ad justable longitudinallyoftheplatform l13, depending upon the height of apatient, as -welly asVin vertical relation K with said platform 13. v

' Vis at thenearest" proximity Vof said`pla'tform13,'.as`vbest' seen'inFig. 2. Positioned uponV upper and side surfacesV of said beam 29,adjacent the ends thereof are sheathing plates 30, which are .fastenedto said beam 29 by means of screw or like fastenings 31 (Fig. 3).Similar leg supporting plates 32, in contacting relation with theY inneredges of said sheathing plates 30, are mountedrupon said beam 29, andaxed thereto by means of a plurality of screws 37.

On each side ,of beam 29, said plates 32 support a pair of legs,generally indicated by 34.in Fig 3. Each of said legs 34 includes anupper tubular portion 35, the upper ends of which are attened as at .36,and the flattened ends of each opposed pair of Asaid legs 34 in atransverse relation with said beam 29, are aixed'to said plates 32 andbeam 29 by a plurality of bolts or like fasteners 33, passedtransversely through said beam 29 and the ends of said plates 32, as isseen in Figs. 2 and 3. Insertable through the lower open` endof each ofsaid tubular portions 35 is extensible lower leg portionV 38, the lowerend of which terminates in a foot plate 39. Optionally, foot plates 39may be substituted by casters, which Vwould permit easy traction fortherplatfrorm upon the floor.

Said legV portions 38, being telescopically receivable within the upperleg portions k35 may be extended or shortened for the purpose ofregulating the distance of platform 13'from the licor.V Screws 40 passedthrough said upper tubular portions 35 bear against said extensiblelower leg portions 38 for maintaining the latte). Vin their adjustedextended relation. Y Y

Welded, as at 41, or otherwise rigidly aixed to the upper bow portion ofeach of said sheathing plates 30 is a cylindrical bearing`42, the outerend of which is closed by the end plate 43. Each end plate 43 isprovided with a diametric slot forreceiving therewithin tongue 44 madein each end of shaft 45 (Figs. 6 yand 7).

Positioned upon said shaft 45 in an encompassing relation, and disposedbetween the inner ends of said cylindrical bearings 42 is a Vtubularhinge Ymember 46, which is welded, as at 47 (Fig. 2), or otherwiserigidlyaxed to the underface of platformf13. Y Y Y Due to thearrangement hereinabove describedit will be Vclear that bearings 4,2,beingV rigidlyV ajixed to the sheathing plates 3i),V and shaft45, beingrigidly aflixed to said lbearings 42, through tongues 44, saidshaft`45remains immovable. The tubular hinge member 46, being rigidly aflixed toplatform 13, and being journalled around said shaft 45,7det`mes a pivotconnection between platform 13 and said shaft 45, whereby said platform13 is capable of making angular seesaw motion upon said shaft 45.

Rigidly afxedto the underface of platform 13, and downwardly dependingtherefrom is plate 48, which coacts with each leg 34; Said plate 48 isprovided with a plurality of apertures 49 in Ya longitudinal relationwith said plate 48 for selective reception within one of saidapertures49 Yof the hooked end of coil spring 50. The

. 4 ing in a rigid relation with the upper tubular portion 35 of eachleg 34.

The tension ofcoil springs 50 is capable of regulation. Greater degreeof muscular power on the part of the patient reposing upon plat-form 13to overcome the tension of springs'50 in order to induce the seesawmovement of platform 13 will be required when the upper ends of coilsprings 50 zareV engaged at the outermost apertures 49 with relation tothe center of platform 13 than would be required if the upper ends ofsprings 50 were engaged with apertures 49 at the proximate ends ofplates 48 with relation to the center of platform 13.

Therefore, the capability of regulation of the tension in springs 50,and the correlation of the degree of tension in springs 50 with thepatients muscular capacity to overcome the tension of springs 50 inorder to induce the seesaw motion of platform 13, by means laterdescribed, is an important feature ofthe present invention. When howeverthe tension in the four coil springs 50 is equal, that is when the upperends of springsV 50 are engaged at the same apertured points 49 in allfour plates 48, said coil springs 50 tend to urge platform 13 to itshorizontal position, as is seen in Fig.'2. Of course, one pair of saidcoil springs 50, on one side of the center of platform 13 may be engagedwith different apertures 49'than the remaining pair of said springs 50,at the opposite side of the center of platform 13 are engaged. Such anarrangement will require greater exertion by theY patients one arm, thanby the other, in order to induce the seesaw motion to platform 13, alldepending upon therapeutic requirements of any given patient.V Means areprovided at each end of platform 13 to limit the downward shiftingmovement of the platform, or to support each end of the platformirnmovably upon the floor, in which latter event platform 13 may be usedas an examining table or a table on which a massage -mayy be given to apatient. Said means include a pair of hollowed stud members 52, affixedto the underface of platform 13, one adjacent each edge of platform 13,and each pair thereof in a transverse relation with the platform. Telescopically receivable within said stud members 52 are tubularextensible members 53, and a U-shaped member 54, receivable by itsupright ends within a pair of transversely positioned tubular extensiblemembers 53. Transverse Vscrews 55 passed through said stud members 52engage said tubular extensible members 53 and maintain the latterintheir longitudinally adjusted position. Screws 56 passed through thelower ends of said tubular extensible members 53 are adapted to engagethe upright ends of said U-shaped memberV 54 to maintain the latter inits adjusted relationwith said tubular extensible members 53.

As is obvious, said members 52, 53 and 54 may bev longitudinallyadjusted with relation to each other for the purpose of bringing saidU-shaped member 54 towards or away from the floor and thereby oflimiting the downward shifting movement of each end of lower end of eachcoil spring S is provided 'with a hook platform V13 during the seesawmotion of the latter, depending upon the requirements of any givenpatient. When said members .52, 53 and 54 are fully extended so thatboth of said U-shaped members 54 are in contact with .the floor, saidmembers will then provide a support for each end of platform 13,rendering the platform immovable with relation to the floor. In thatlatter position of the platformV fthe, same may be used as an examiningtable or a tableupon which =a massage may be given to the patient.

Referring lnow to the superstructure of the device the same includes arectangular frame 57 disposed above platform 13, and supported upon thelloor by'means of four legs, generally Yindicate'dfin Fig. V2 by 58.kEach of said legs 58 includes an upper tubular member 59, having itsupper end flattened as'at 60, which is Vsecured to the end of theshorter end portion' of Vframe.57, by means of rivet 61 or the like.YEach tubular end member 59. hassecured thereto the lower end of brace62', while ,theopposite end ,of each brace 62 is fastenedto .the longervside Vbar of frame-57, adjacent its'end, by means of rivet 63 (Fig. 2),orany' suitable fastening means.

Each. pair of upper end tubular members59 isr conrnectedrby a pairofcross braces 64, best shown in Fig. 3. Byfmeans of said braces 62 and64, as well as rivet connections 61, said upper tubular members 59aremade rigid-with each other as well as with saidY frame 57.

,Receivable .within said upper end tubular members 59 of-.s,aid.,legs-58, `'through the lowerrends thereof, in a telescopioextensible relation are lower tubular members .65,provided with aplurality of mutually spaced trans- -verse apertures 66. A knobbedbolt67 is passed through :the lower end-ofeach said yupper end tubularmember 59 ina transverse relation, and accommodated within anyVvselected aperture 66.

By means of said knobbed bolt 67 and said apertures 66-.said Ytubularvmembers65 may be held rigid in their extended relationwith said `upperend tubular members 59. .'I'hus, said legsA 58 ,may be made longer orshorter, ,thereby elevating or lowering frame 57 from or towardsplatform ,13, Ydepending upon requirements of any given Ipatient.

VEach leg 58 is supported upon the floor by means vofcaster 68. Eachcaster, 68 isset upon shaft 69, which is journalled within a pair ofbifurcated arms 70 (Fig. 10), whichis integrallyformed with anddownwardly depends from cylindrical member 71, upon the upper endV ofwhich reststhe lower end of the lower tubular member 65. Projecting inan upward direction from `said cylindrical member 71 is a reducedcylindrical stud 72-v which enters the lower end of said lower tubularmember'65and is journalled therewithin for a rotary `movementforrotatably shifting caster 68 in any direclion. Said stud72'is providedwith a circumferential groove 73 for-accommodating therewithin the.inner end of screw 74. If screw 74 is loosely positioned within saidgroove l73 by its inner end, said screw will permit rotary movement ofsaid stud 72 within said tubular member 65, but will prevent thedisengagement of said stud in a longitudinal direction. If however saidscrew 74 is driven to a suicient degree so as to engage by its inner endthe body portion of said stud 72 at the bottom of said groove 73, saidstud 72 will become thereby'rlocked to said tubular member 65 preventingthe rotation Vof the former within the latter, for maintaining caster 68in a xed position.

Screw `75 vis Vdriven through one of said arms 70 for selective .bearingagainst the web of caster 68, and thereby for providing a'brake,preventing rotary movement ofV caster-.'68 and thereby for maintainingcasters 68 in an immovable fixed position upon the oor.

For strengthening the said superstructure, including Asaidfframer57,`atransversebrace 76, rigidly connecting ;by itsends with the longersides of said frame 57 in .acentral relation therewith, is provided.

Apair of tubular bars 77, each of which is in a spaced parallelrelationwith each longer side members of frame 57, and on the inward sidethereof, is passed through said brace 76 and is rigidly aixed by itsends to the -shorter end members of said frame 57. By this meanssaidtubular bars 77. are rigidly supported in the said superstructure,in alongitudinal relation with said frame 57. Ofcourse, there may be asmany of said tubular bars,77,as may be required.

.Mounted Vupon each of said bars 77 in a longitudinal sliding relationtherewith is a plurality of sleeves 78, each .of which, Yadjacent oneend thereof, is provided with a Vrigidly kformed and downwardlydepending hook 79. Each of said sleeves 7S is further provided with aknobbed screwl), Ain a transverse relation therewith, whereby theysleeve, may be rigidly engaged with the tubular bar 77 vfor maintainingthe same in a longitudinal adjusted relation with said tubular bar 77.

Removably positioned upon one or more of said hooks- 79, isaplllley4attachment, best shown in'Figs.`2':ind 8, which' includes "block 81,with one end 'of whicha bifurcated arm 82 is rigidly formed. Pulley-,83lis jour- V nailed-.for a free rotary movement within said bifurcated 5-arm'82 uponV shaft 84, the latter supported in a rigid relationiby thefree end of said bifurcated arm 82.

' r[he opposite end of said block V81, axially thereof, is provided withsemi-spherical depressionforl reception `,therewithin of ball 85 whichis rigidly formed with one Vend of rod'86. Aiixed to that end of saidblock 81, by means of a plurality of screws 87, is a retaining plate288, which is provided with a central bore 89, ofl-a diameter smallerthan the diameter of said ball 85. I"The central body portion of saidretaining yplate 88, 'adjacent said bore 89, -and lon the inner face ofsaid plate 88, is provided with a semi-spherical chamfer, which iscomplementary of the semi-spherical depression in said block}81,for'accommodating said ball 8S and for af- "fordingfa swivelconnectionbetween said block 81 and `ball 85. The body portion of said-plate 88,adjacent saidbore 89 is in a spacedrelation with said rod 86, asis-clearly seen -in Fig.-8. By virtue of the arrangement described block81 and pulley 83 are capableyof angular-as well as circular shiftingmovements Awith -relationf-to'rod 86, being guided in those movements byball- 85. It is Vnoted that ball S5 is freely rotatable within-thecavity defined by the depression `made in block 81 and chamfer made inplate 88. Made-Y at the opposite end of said rod-86 is eye 90 forselectiveengagement with hook 79 depending from any one of said sleeves78.

vA--pair-.of said pulley attachments .last hereinabove described, onesupported by sleeve 78 upon each. of ,Said ftubular bars`77, is capableof supporting a cord, one end Aof which may be made to engage a weight,with the opposite end .of which may be connected to a stirrup, thelatter to be engaged by a patients foot for affording exercise to apatients leg when the leg is moved up .and 'downwhile the patientreposes upon platform 13. 40 In connection with this mode of exercise,platform 13 -shouldfbe rendered immovable upon its pivot -46, byextending the U-shaped members 54 in a downward direction and in contact`with the floor.

' Two cords, each engagedby a pair of pulleys 83fmay 45 be usedforaffording a simultaneous exercise for the .patients leg and arm. Anotherexample for providing van exercise for a patient would be to pass a cordover apair of pulleys 83, one supported Vuponsleeve78 upon one' bar 77adjacent one end thereof, and the other pulley supported upon sleeve 78upon the other bar 177, adjacent the opposite end of the latter. Inconnection with thismode of exercise, each end of the cord may bemadefto Support a stirrup, one stirrup to be engaged by the patientsfoot while the other by his 55 hand. Alternate pull and release of thehand stirrup would alternately move the patients leg up and down,thereby affording exercise to both patients leg and arm. Of course, agreat variety of positioning of pulley attachments may be employed toafford various exercises to 6() a patient. Obviously, even one pulley 83may be used to support a cord with a stirrup connected to each endthereof. Each foot of the patient may be made to engage one stirrup forproviding alternate lifting and lowering of the patients legs foraffording a simultaneous exercise to both legs. v

The means for imparting to platform 13 the seesaw motion upon its pivot15---46 which is supported by the said superstructure, and is capableofoperation by the patient while in a recumbent position upon platform 13,includes a pair of tubular, pulley supporting members 91, each welded orotherwise rigidly aiiixed to the outer face of the end side of frame 57and centrally thereof. A pair of similar central pulley supporting,members 92 is provided, each welded or otherwise rigidly aixed to brace76, adjacent each of said tubular bars pull exerted upon stirrups 99 bythe hands and arms.

77.- A11 of said p ulley supporting members 91 and l92 are-lina-vertical relation with the said superstructure and platform'13. u

Iournalled within each bers 91 and 92, for a rotary movementtherewithin, is shaft 93, through upper end of which dowel pin 94 is'extended in a transverse relation. Dowel pin 94, riding upon the upperend of each of said pulley supporting membersV 91 and 92, supports thesame thereon and prevents the disengagement of said shaft 91 from saidpulley supporting member, while permitting a rotary movement of theformer.

Integrally formed with each of said shafts 93, and

downwardly depending therefrom, is a bifurcated bearing95. Bearings 95coacting with pulley supportingk members 91 support pulleys 91 andbearings 95 coactof said pulleysupporting meming with pulley supportingmembers 92 support pulleys e v of said cords 97 and 98 are engaged Withhooks 100,

which are aixed to the underface ofV platform 13, adjacent each endthereof, and directed towards the transverse axis of said platform 13,as is best seen in Fig.

12. When said platform 13 is placed directly below l the saidsuperstructure, said hooks 100 will be directly upon the perpendicularplane extended through said'pulleys 91.

When said U-shaped members 54 remain in a collapsed relation with saidextensible members 53, and consequently in a spaced relation with thehoor, as is seen in Fig. 2, alternate pull upon one or the other of saidstirrups 99 by the patients hands, will cause` the opposite end of oneor the other of said cords 97 or 98 to shift in Ian upward direction,thereby causing the two ends of platform 13 to make alternate angularshifting movements uponits pivot 45-46, to or away from the floor.

'Ihis will in turn result in a seesaw or teeter movement ofsaid'platform 13, thereby alternatelyraising or lowering patients headportion and lower extremities of his body. This in turn will have anadvantageous result in improving the bloodY circulation andstrengthening the muscular action, while at the same time exercisingpatients arms and shoulder and chest muscles due to the During theoperation of said cords 97 and 98'for imparting a seesaw movement toplatform 13, springs 50 at all times tend to bring platform 13 to itshorizontal posi- `tion on releasing the downward pulling force atstirrups 99. This is especially true when it is considered that saidcords 97 and 98 are flexible, and therefore when the pressure atstirrups 99 in a downward direction is re- -leased said springs l) willVtend -to bring platform 13 and f the patient reposing thereon to ahorizontal position. Therefore, the patient need only to concern himselfwith imparting pulling action at the inner ends of said cords 97vand 98in order `to pull said ends in a downward direction, while engaging saidstirrups 99 with his hands, Vfor `the purpose of imparting ya seesawmotion to said Y seesaw motion of said platform 13.

Cushions 18, adjusted to the patients height, by shifting tubularmembers 25 to or away from the transverse v center of`platform 13, beingin contactual `relation with patients feet'and head, Vwillpreventsliding of the patient klongitudinally of platform 13, in eitherdirection.

The U-.shaped 'members 54 need not be adjusted to the l"same distancefrom platform 13. vOne may be removed fartherv away from platform 13,vwhile opposite one may Ybe shifted nearer tothe said platform. The oneof said U-shaped members 54 which has been adjusted farther away'fromplatform 13 will of course come in contact with the oor during theVseesaw ymotion of platform 13 sooner than the opposite of said U-shapedmembers 54,

thereby limiting the downward shifting movement of one end of platform13. VThis relative adjustability of the -two U-shaped members 54 in'order to shift one end of platform 13 nearer to the iioor than the otherend of said piatform 13,-will again depend on the particular re-Vquirernents of any given patient.

VFoot plates 39 may be substituted with casters such as casters 68,including their appurtenances marked with numeral characters 69 to 75,inclusive, and best shown in Fig. 10. This will permit sliding ofplatform 13 away Yfrom under the superstructure aforesaid, on firstdisconnecting cords 97 and 98 from hooks 100. On moving Vthe platformfrom under said superstructure, casters, such as casters 68, may belocked byV screws such as screws 75, for the purpose of maintaining andsupporting platform 13 immovably upon a oor. On shifting `said U-shapedrmember 54 in engagement with the oor platform 13 will becomeimmovable upon its pivot 45-46 and will remain rigid with relation tothe door, for use as an examining table or a table upon which patientmay be given a massage or other therapeutic treatment.

It is further noted that cushions are adjustable upon Yhinges 20-21 fromvertical position, as shown in Fig, 2,

` form 13 is made immovable by extending said U-shaped ,cords extendedthrough pulley or pulleys 83, as was hereinabove described.

To strengthen thesupporting legs for beam 29 and pivot 45-46 of platform13, the four upper tubular portions 35 of said legs may beinterconnected by horizontal braces 101, as seen in Figs.'2 and 3.

While there are described herein preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, it is nevertheless to be understood that minor changes may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as claimed.

y What I claim as new is:

Vl. A therapeutic andrgymnastic bed comprising an oblong platform havinga flat top surface Vadapted to support a person irlv a prone positionthereon, supporting means underlying said platform andV pivotallyconnected at the top thereofto the underside of the platform at thelongitudinal center thereof, tensioned connecting means between saidsupport means and said platform disposed on each side of said pivotconnection, a frame supported in vertically spaced relation above saidplatform, means for rocking said platform comprising a pair oftransversely spaced pulleys mounted on the frame at a central locationlongitudinally thereof, a pair of pulleys mounted one on each end of theframe transversely centrally thereof, and a pair of cords, eachconnected to a different end of said platform and extending upwardly andover the one pulley at the corresponding end of the frame and thenceoverone of the longitudinally central pulleys and having an end hangingfree from said lastnamed pulley, said free end adapted to be grasped bythe prone person on the platform to rock the platform about saidsupporting means, said platform having a stop on each end thereof, onefor the head and the other for the feet of the person prone thereon,said platform having vertically adjustable depending means to controlthe amount of tilt of said platform.

2. The structure as set forth in claim 1, said tensioned connectingmeans comprising a spring connected at one end to the supporting meansand adjustably connected at the other end to the platform longitudinallythereof.

3. The structure as set forth in claim 1, said control means for thetilt of the platform adapted to be extended to the -iloor from bothsides of the platform pivot to stabilize the platform, said cords beingdisconnectible from said platform whereby said platform may be movedaway from underneath said frame and used as a massage table.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS ShankApr. 27, 1926 Daniels et al. Dec. 4, 1928 Olson Apr. 30, 1940 GlasinAug. 3, 1948 l Houghtaling Apr. 7, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS Great BritainJune 1, 1933 France July 6, 1938

